reaped; reaping; reaps
Synonyms of reap

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to cut with a sickle, scythe, or reaping machine
(2)
: to clear of a crop by reaping
b
: to gather by reaping : harvest
2
: obtain, win

intransitive verb

: to reap something

Examples of reap in a Sentence

She is now reaping the benefits of her hard work. He reaped large profits from his investments. The workers were out reaping the crops. The workers were out reaping in the fields.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Research shows additional instruction time can improve academic achievement, but in order to reap the benefits, several factors are at play including attendance. — Lina Ruiz october 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026 Yet despite winning billions of dollars of investment in new factories, the region is reaping fewer benefits than its leaders may have hoped. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026 For more of the continent to reap the benefits of solar power, however, blended funding models and consistent rural electrification policies will be needed to help bridge the power gap, the report warned. — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026 Zaslav in particular stands to reap hundreds of millions from his shepherding of the deal, with the official figure to be disclosed in SEC filings over the coming days. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reap

Word History

Etymology

Middle English repen, from Old English reopan

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of reap was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reap. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
a
: to cut (as grain) or clear (as a field) with a sickle, scythe, or machine
b
: harvest entry 2 sense 1
reap a crop
2
: to get as a result
reap the benefit of hard work
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